TSAMTO, February 1. According to the Ministry of Defense of Latvia, during the annual debate on foreign policy held in the Seimas on January 27, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks announced the need to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP in the medium term (next 3 years).
According to A. Pabriks, although Latvia can rely on solidarity within NATO and Article 5 of the charter of this organization, it must continue an ambitious program of military construction.
According to him, the current geopolitical changes and plans to strengthen the defense capability require Latvia to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP over the next three years (medium-term perspective).
The Minister is convinced that additional funding can be directed to the development of the national defense industry, which will bring benefits such as an increase in the number of jobs and acceleration of economic growth, as well as increase the reliability of supplies. A. Pabriks stated the need to achieve greater independence in providing the country's armed Forces with everything necessary, since in the event of a crisis there are no guarantees to get immediate access to ammunition, weapons and other equipment, and their purchase abroad may take too long.
A. Pabriks also asked the Seimas to support the concept approved by the defense ministers of the three Baltic states, according to which "all three states will enter a single combat zone." In other words, whenever Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia need help, the troops of the other two countries will be allowed to quickly cross the border. This will significantly increase the security of each country and ensure closer defense cooperation.
In addition, A. Pabriks stated the need to deepen cooperation with allies such as Finland, Sweden and Poland. According to him, "Ukraine should also be part of this cooperation structure, because the current problems in this country are directly related to the states of the Baltic Sea region."
According to TSAMTO, in the state budget approved by the Seimas on December 14, 2021, national defense expenditures amount to 1201 million euros, which is 153 million euros higher than last year. The approved defense budget is 2.05% of GDP. This is the fifth largest segment of financing in the state budget.
The increase in the defense budget will allow to continue the implementation of the most important projects, including the purchase of a medium-range air defense system; equipping units allocated to the operational subordination of NATO and the rapid reaction forces with infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs); modernization of mine warfare ships; expansion of military infrastructure (construction of three military camps), providing the possibility of informing about the maritime situation.
